Fat Kid Rules the World by K.L. Going tells the story of Troy, a 6”1' high senior weighing 300 pounds. At the start of the book, we see Troy standing at the subway station contemplating suicide. He hesitates and tries to see if from the spectator point of view and ultimately ends up laughing about it. It's the laughter that cues Curt MacCrae to come to his aid and “save him.” Curt is sitting by his feet, and Troy doesn't even notice him until he speaks. Having successfully saved his life, Curt tells him that the only thing he can do now is buy him lunch. He does so, and they end up talking and eating together. What comes from this meeting is an unlikely friendship between two boys, one overweight and picked on, and the other thin and a accused substance abuser. They form a band together and plan on being the biggest band in the history of the world. Then tragedy hits, and Curt is in the hospital. Troy's dad, who is an ex-Marine, does his best to bring them apart from each other. In the end, Troy realized that there is nothing wrong with his weight or how he is, and accepts himself for who he is.
Group being depicted:
All those who are picked on or laughed at for being overweight, and those who are seen as homeless like Curt was.
Change in perception:
I read the book, and I see that people hide their true thoughts and feelings behind a facade when they don't want you to see it. As to a change in my perception, I don't feel like a change has happened because I have come from the background of being overweight and I know how it feels to be picked on for it. I already accept various groups of people, and am overall a very accepting person.
Enhanced Cultural Awareness:
It opened my eyes to the cultures of the punk rock genre and to all those who live like Curt. While the book tells about Troy and his struggle, it also depicts Curt's struggles with life as well. I am more aware of Curt's plight, and the plight of those like him.
Insights:
A new insight I gained from this book would be that it is OK to accept who you are. No matter what others may say about you it is perfectly acceptable to be yourself no matter what. People may make fun of you, or mock you, or just be plaub cruel, but at the end of the day the only person that matters is yourself and what you think of you. Don't ever let anyone else tell you what to be or what not to be; you truly are perfect in your own way.
Relevance:
I think that it is relevant to students today for the sole fact that kids can be cruel to each other. Bullying does happen, and kids make fun of each other all the time. Sometimes it's all in good fun, but most of the time it harbors malicious intent. It is relevant to all those who will be teachers because at some point you will have to deal with this.
Use the Book: I don't believe that I will use the book with students. It is classified as young adult, but the themes are a little mature for students. If I teach in a high school, then I will most definitely consider it.
Recommendation: I absolutely recommend this book for high schoolers to read. It might help them to understand the others around them better, and hopefully to make them sensitive to the feelings of other people.
Fat Kid Rules the World by K.L. Going tells the story of Troy, a 6”1' high senior weighing 300 pounds. At the start of the book, we see Troy standing at the subway station contemplating suicide. He hesitates and tries to see if from the spectator point of view and ultimately ends up laughing about it. It's the laughter that cues Curt MacCrae to come to his aid and “save him.” Curt is sitting by his feet, and Troy doesn't even notice him until he speaks. Having successfully saved his life, Curt tells him that the only thing he can do now is buy him lunch. He does so, and they end up talking and eating together. What comes from this meeting is an unlikely friendship between two boys, one overweight and picked on, and the other thin and a accused substance abuser. They form a band together and plan on being the biggest band in the history of the world. Then tragedy hits, and Curt is in the hospital. Troy's dad, who is an ex-Marine, does his best to bring them apart from each other. In the end, Troy realized that there is nothing wrong with his weight or how he is, and accepts himself for who he is.
Group being depicted:
All those who are picked on or laughed at for being overweight, and those who are seen as homeless like Curt was.
Change in perception:
I read the book, and I see that people hide their true thoughts and feelings behind a facade when they don't want you to see it. As to a change in my perception, I don't feel like a change has happened because I have come from the background of being overweight and I know how it feels to be picked on for it. I already accept various groups of people, and am overall a very accepting person.
Enhanced Cultural Awareness:
It opened my eyes to the cultures of the punk rock genre and to all those who live like Curt. While the book tells about Troy and his struggle, it also depicts Curt's struggles with life as well. I am more aware of Curt's plight, and the plight of those like him.
Insights:
A new insight I gained from this book would be that it is OK to accept who you are. No matter what others may say about you it is perfectly acceptable to be yourself no matter what. People may make fun of you, or mock you, or just be plaub cruel, but at the end of the day the only person that matters is yourself and what you think of you. Don't ever let anyone else tell you what to be or what not to be; you truly are perfect in your own way.
Relevance:
I think that it is relevant to students today for the sole fact that kids can be cruel to each other. Bullying does happen, and kids make fun of each other all the time. Sometimes it's all in good fun, but most of the time it harbors malicious intent. It is relevant to all those who will be teachers because at some point you will have to deal with this.
Use the Book:
I don't believe that I will use the book with students. It is classified as young adult, but the themes are a little mature for students. If I teach in a high school, then I will most definitely consider it.
Recommendation:
I absolutely recommend this book for high schoolers to read. It might help them to understand the others around them better, and hopefully to make them sensitive to the feelings of other people.